Cocktail pick

ABSTRACT

A combination cocktail pick, stirrer and food marker comprising an elongated member pointed at one end thereof, a plaque portion disposed at the opposite end of said elongated portion and operably mounted thereto and clip means operably mounted on said elongated member.

mite Schneiier Nov. 20, 1973 COCKTAIL iPKCK [76] Inventor: Rudy F.Schnelier, 1 Vanguard Ct.,

OFallon, Mo. 63366 22 Filed: Mar. 18, 1970 21 Appl. No.2 20,553

[52] U.S. C1 410/2 1t [51] Int. Cl. Adds 3/00 [58] Field of Search132/89, 90, 93; 40/11, 324,1,10,10 PM; 44/2961, 86.11; 416/11 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 0184,335 2/1939 BergeronD44/29.61 2,079,193 5/1937 Wigen D44/29.61 X 2,070,976 2/1937Peterden... D44/29.61 X 2,625,760 1/1953 Cleal 40/10 C 2,723,111 11/1955Lawrence D44/29.61 X 323,598 8/1885 Rosenbaum 40/324 2,925,087 2/1960Kucher 132/93 2,717,463 9/1955 Sindler 40/324 3,325,929 6/1967 Mauchline40/11 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 917,115 1/1963 Great Britain.416/71 1,454,512 8/1966 France 40/10 C Primary ExaminerRobert W. MichellAssistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras AttorneyRoger M. Hibbits [5 7ASTRACT A combination cocktail pick, stirrer and food marker comprisingan elongated member pointed at one end thereof, a plaque portiondisposed at the opposite end of said elongated portion and operablymounted thereto and clip means operably mounted on said elongatedmember.

7 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PA'IENIEMuvwm 3.772.809 SHEET 1 BF 2 I[NVE/VTOP w W PATENTEBnnv 20 ms SHEET 2 BF 2 INVEM m @Lz fww/V FIG.4

COCKTAIL PICK This invention relates to, and comprises an improvement incocktail picks and stir rods such as used in the serving of cocktailsand other mixed drinks.

The objects of this invention are to provide a device more convenientfor the user and in the case where the Proprietor of an establishmentuses these items for advertising purposes, to display his name,insignia, etc., provides a means by which he obtains maximum benefitfrom his advertising copy. These and other features will be in partapparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Picks and rods commonly used in the past, and at present are at adecided disadvantage with the growing popularity of the larger sizedcocktail, doubles, on the rocks, etc., and this disadvantage is furtherapparent when these devices are used to convey advertising copy. Inanswer to the problem some manufacturers have increased the length oftheir products, but a compromise must still be made, as a pick longenough for a taller drink will be too long for the short or standardsized drink, resulting in the pick extending above the top of the glass,and becoming unstable interfering with consumption of the drink byrolling or pivoting toward the user. The shorter length of the priortypes results in the pick being submerged in the taller drink and againinterfering with the consumption of the drink necessitating use of thefingers in the liquid to remove the pick.

Along with the foregoing disadvantages of use is added the disadvantageto the proprietor who has spent money to have an advertising messageprinted on the upper end of these items, as is also commonly done. Hereagain the shorter pick in the tall glass is submerged as is the copy,and the tall pick angles and rolls thereby not holding the copy onprominent display.

The object of this invention is to eliminate the aforementioned problemsand at the same time offer other benefits in the following manner.

Through use of a clip, or holding means, the pick is firmly and securelyheld to the side of the glass preventing any rolling, pivoting, orsubmersion, during use or consumption of the drink. Because of thisfeature the depth of the glass becomes unimportant, since the pick canbe designed to accommodate the shortest glass to be encountered, andwill then be in exactly the same position above the top rim of thetallest glass, as the top rim of any glass is the gauging factor. Thisfeature also makes it possible to locate a plaque, handle, or suitablesurface to hold advertising copy at the upper end of the pick, in themost advantageous position for prominent display, regardless of glassdepth.

Another object of this invention is to permit savings of materialthrough use of the shortest design, as extra length is not required.Still another object of this invention is to permit the proprietor touse one pick in either cocktails or in so called tall mixed drinks, ifhe so chooses. This now requires two different types because of glassdepth.

Still another object of this invention is through the design of the clipor holding means be able to accommodate any glass contour or shapeencountered.

Still another object of this invention is to permit the proprietor touse the pick in another way to identify the manner or degree to which asteak or other meat is broiled or cooked. This now commonly is done byuse of a device made solely for the purpose being marked rare well done,etc., and is therefore limited to that use only. Some enterprisingproprietors desiring to use their existing picks for this purpose, andsince these are commonly furnished to them in various colors, use thesecolors to identify the degree of cooking and have so trained theirstaffs. This leaves the serving to the customer open to error throughslip of memory, absenteeism, new help, poor lighting, etc., and does notindicate to the customer himself whether or not he has received hisorder as specified. In this practice the proprietors have shown a needor desire to use one matching device in their drinks as well as in otheruses, both to avail themselves of their advertising to the publicwherever possible, and at the same time benefit from the purchase of asingle item in more attractive quantity prices.

This invention by utilizing the clip or holding means permits a smalltab to be snapped under the clip resulting in a marking device whichstill retains the identity of the establishment, and at the same timeoffers the economies aforementioned, as the printed items are thecostliest. Use in this manner is not limited to meat cookingidentification, as other, or blank tabs can be furnished making thedevice available to the proprietors own ingenuity for such other uses assandwich identifiers, place settings, etc.

In the accompanying drawings in which the practical embodiment of theinvention is illustrated, the construction shown therein is to beunderstood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of theinvention.

FIGS. la, lb, 10, and 1d, illustrate two possible embodiments of theinvention. FIG. la is a front elevation view and FIG. llb is a sideelevation view which shows the clip or holding means disposed adjacentto and below the plaque or handle. FIG. 1c is a front elevation view andFIG. lid is a side elevation view which shows the clip or holding meansdisposed adjacent to and to the side of the plaque or handle. FIGS. 20,2b, 2c, 2d, and 2e, illustrate how the devices shown in FIGS. 110, 1b,1c, and 1d, are universally adaptable to the various types and shapes ofglasses commonly used, and also illustrates that the plaque with theadvertising copy, or handle is held above the glass in prominentdisplay, or convenient position.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the clip or holding means, and shows theconstruction that permits adaptation to the different glass shapes.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show various applications of the FIG. 3 device.

FIG. 4 illustrates use of the device in combination with a tab to formthe identifier previously mentioned.

Referring now to FIG. 1 numeral 1 shows an embodiment of the inventionwherein the upper end 3 is a plaque for decorative purposes, which mayor may not carry advertising copy, and also serves as a handle by whichto lift or manipulate the device. The blade 4 terminates at its lowerend in the form of a barb S which serves to retain or hold the appetizeror cordial usually served in Cocktails, particularly wherein a shortpick is used in a tall glass. The holding clip 2 is located in its mostadvantageous position to display or hold the plaque or handle in aconvenient position above the top of the glass as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2 illustrated is attachment of the holding clip 2 tovarious styles and shapes of glasses now in common use. Single" sizecocktail types appear at 6, 7, and 8. At 9 is shown attachment to alarger similar type used for single on the rocks and also for doublesize cocktails. At 10 is illustrated attachment to a type of tall drinkglass. All aforementioned views show how the plaque or handle 3 is heldin position above the top of the glass for prominent display of theadvertising copy.

Referring now to FIG. 3 the particular view shown is an enlargement ofthe clip type shown in FIG. la. The clip in this instance emanates fromand is a part of the blade 4 proper. Its inner rigid portion has adownwardly angularly sloping surface 11 terminating at its lower end ina radius 12. Extending from the upper end of surface 1] is a crookshaped form 13 constituting the resilient or flexible half of the clip2. Flexibility is obtained jointly from the nature of the material andthe shape of the crook member 13. Member 13 is so formed that its crosssectional area is gradually decreasing from its origin at surface 11 toits extremity at radius 14. in order that stress distribution andbiasing pressure will be uniformly divided through out the member.

When in use, entry of a glass rim between radius 12 and radius 14results in a separating force wherein radius l4 and member 13 move in anoutwardly direction away from rigid portion 15 initially giving asnapping action over the glass rim bead. Further entry until the rimbead stops against the upper inner surface of member 13 results in theplaque or handle 3 being at the desired height above the glass rim, andfurther results in the side wall of the glass being securely heldbetween radius 12 and 14 by the inwardly biasing action of the flexiblemember 13. Radius 14 is so disposed relative to radius 12 that a linelaterally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of blade 4 passingthrough the origin of radius 14 will be slightly higher in the directionof surface 11, than a similar line passing through the origin of radius12. In effect this adds to the existing clamping force between saidradii, an additional urgeing force in the direction of surface 11 netresulting effect biases blade 4 in a direction away from the side of theglass held between radius 12 and 14. This feature insures againstexcessive pressure between the glass wall and the appetizer or cordialheld on the lower or barbed end of the blade 4, thereby preventing itsbeing pulled off and dropping to the bottom of the glass when the clipis unlatched and the pick removed from the drink by the user. It alsowhen used in conjunction with the meat identifier holds the tab at adesireable angle from the horizontal as shown in FIG. 4 for betterviewing by the user. Radius 12 and 14 along with their disposition servethe further purpose of effectively clamping between them the side wallof various glass shapes or contours. Angularly or curved walls whileriding upwardly on either radius 12 or radius 14 will in turn be ridingdownwardly on the opposite or other radius. The curvature of these radiiand their disposition are such that the commonly encountered glassshapes are accommodated while maintaining the previously mentionedadditional urgeing force in the direction of surface 11. The clearanceprovided within the upper confines of member 13 accomodates the rim ofthe various glass shapes, two examples of which are shown in FIG. 3a and3b.

Referring to FIG. 4 shown in perspective is the use of pick and tab toform in this instance a steak identifier. As illustrated in FIG. 4a thetab is so constructed that it will snap into the clip and has suitableindentations 17 to prevent its accidental dislodgement. It also hasguide rails 18 surrounding the clip side surfaces to hold it in a levelplane and prevent oscillatory or side motion. The design of the tab 19also makes use of the aforementioned additional urgeing force betweenradius 12 and 14 which in this instance holds the tab at an angle to theblade 4 more readily seen by the viewer. The body of the tab can befurnished imprinted with various standard wording or left blank for theusers individual choice of words.

Although the invention has been described herein more or less preciselyas to details, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedthereby, as changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion ofparts, and equivalents may be substituted with out departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, whatl claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A cocktail pick and stirrer comprising,

an elongated member, one end of said elongated member being shaped toprovide a point thereon,

plaque means operably mounted to the opposite extremnity of saidelongated member, and

gripping clip means operably mounted to said elongated member, saidgripping clip means is integrally formed with said elongated member andcomprises,

a triangular shaped portion disposed with a base of said triangleabutting a longitudinal side of said elongated member and an apexthereof extending away from said elongated member, and

a curved elongated portion disposed vertically above said triangularportion with a portion thereof disposed in spaced proximate relation tosaid apex, said curved elongated portion thus providing a teardropshaped space between said curved elongated portion and said triangularshaped portion.

2. A cocktail pick and stirrer as described in claim 1 wherein saidcurved elongated member of said gripping clip means is shaped such thatit includes two oppositely curved portion such that the portion nearestsaid elongated member curves away from said triangular and the nextportion curves near to said apex.

3. A cocktail pick and stirrer as described in claim I wherein saidcurved elongated portion of said gripping clip means is contructed ofspring like material.

4. A cocktail pick and stirrer comprising,

an elongated member, one end of said elongated member being shaped toprovide a point thereon,

plaque means operably mounted to the opposite extremnity of saidelongated member, and

gripping clip means operably mounted to said plaque means, said grippingclip means comprising,

a triangular shaped portion disposed with a base of said triangleabutting a vertical side of said plaque means and an apex thereofextending away from said plaque means, and

a curved elongated portion disposed vertically above said triangularportion with a portion thereof disposed in spaced proximate relation tosaid apex, said curved elongated portion thus providing a teardropshaped space between said curved elongated portion and said triangularshaped portion, said elongated member, plaque means and gripping clipmeans being integrally formed.

5. A cocktail pick and stirrer as described in claim 4 wherein saidcurved elongated portion of said gripping clip means is constructed ofspring like material.

6. A cocktail pick and stirrer or food marker comprising,

an elongated member, one end of said elongated member being shaped toprovide a point thereon,

plaque means operably mounted to the opposite extremnity of saidelongated member, and

clip means operably mounted to said elongated member, said clip meansbeing integrally formed with said elongated member and comprising,

a triangular shaped portion disposed with a base of said triangleabutting a longitudinal side of said elongated member and an apexthereof extending away from said elongated member, and

a curved elongated portion disposed vertically above said triangularportion with a portion thereof disposed in spaced proximate relation tosaid apex, said curved elongated portion thus providing a teardropshaped space between said curved elongated portion and said triangularshaped portion. in combination with indicator means removably mounted tosaid clip means, said indicator means comprising,

an elongated member of I cross section, said elongated I member providedwith recesses in the surfaces of the middle portion of said I, andprovided with a slot at one end of said elongated 1 member, and

plaque means removably mounted in said slot, said plaque means includinga sheet portion of thickness slightly greater than the width of saidslot, providing a force fit of said plaque means into said slot.

7. A cocktail pick and stirrer or food marker comprising,

an elongated member, one end of said elongated member being shaped toprovide a point thereon,

plaque means operably mounted to the opposite extremnity of saidelongated member, and

gripping clip means operably mounted to said elongated member, incombination with indicator means removably mounted to said gripping clipmeans, said indicator means comprising,

an elongated member of I cross section, said elongated I member providedwith recesses in the surfaces of the middle portion of said 1", andprovided with a slot at one end of said elongated l member, and

plaque means removably mounted in said slot, said plaque means includinga sheet portion of thickness slightly greater than the width of saidslot, providing a force fit of said plaque means into said slot.

1. A cocktail pick and stirrer comprising, an elongated member, one endof said elongated member being shaped to provide a point thereon, plaquemeans operably mounted to the opposite extremnity of said elongatedmember, and gripping clip means operably mounted to said elongatedmember, said gripping clip means is integrally formed with saidelongated member and comprises, a triangular shaped portion disposedwith a base of said triangle abutting a longitudinal side of saidelongated member and an apex thereof extending away from said elongatedmember, and a curved elongated portion disposed vertically above saidtriangular portion with a portion thereof disposed in spaced proximaterelation to said apex, said curved elongated portion thus providing ateardrop shaped space between said curved elongated portion and saidtriangular shaped portion.
 2. A cocktail pick and stirrer as describedin claim 1 wherein said curved elongated member of said gripping clipmeans is shaped such that it includes two oppositely curved portion suchthat the portion nearest said elongated member curves away from saidtriangular and the next portion curves near to said apex.
 3. A cocktailpick and stirrer as described in claim 1 wherein said curved elongatedportion of said gripping clip means is contructed of spring likematerial.
 4. A cocktail pick and stirrer comprising, an elongatedmember, one end of said elongated member being shaped to provide a pointthereon, plaque means operably mounted to the opposite extremnity ofsaid elongated member, and gripping clip means operably mounted to saidplaque means, said gripping clip means comprising, a triangular shapedportion disposed with a base of said triangle abutting a vertical sideof said plaque means and an apex thereof extending away from said plaquemeans, and a curved elongated portion disposed vertically above saidtriangular portion with a portion thereof disposed in spaced proximaterelation to said apex, said curved elongated portion thus providing ateardrop shaped space between said curved elongated portion and saidtriangular shaped portion, said elongated member, plaque means andgripping clip means being integrally formed.
 5. A cocktail pick andstirrer as described in claim 4 wherein said curved elongated portion ofsaid gripping clip means is constructed of spring like material.
 6. Acocktail pick and stirrer or food marker comprising, an elongatedmember, one end of said elongated member being shaped to provide a pointthereon, plaque means operably mounted to the opposite extremnity ofsaid elongated member, and clip means operably mounted to said elongatedmember, said clip means being integrally formed with said elongatedmember and comprising, a triangular shaped portion disposed with a baseof said triangle abutting a longitudinal side of said elongated memberand an apex thereof extending away from said elongated member, and acurved elongated portion disposed vertically above said triangularportion with a portion thereof disposed in spaced proximate relation tosaid apex, said curved elongated portion thus providing a teardropshaped space between said curved elongated portion and said triangularshaped portion. in combination with indicator means removably mounted tosaid clip means, said inDicator means comprising, an elongated member of''''I'''' cross section, said elongated ''''I'''' member provided withrecesses in the surfaces of the middle portion of said ''''I'''', andprovided with a slot at one end of said elongated ''''I'''' member, andplaque means removably mounted in said slot, said plaque means includinga sheet portion of thickness slightly greater than the width of saidslot, providing a force fit of said plaque means into said slot.
 7. Acocktail pick and stirrer or food marker comprising, an elongatedmember, one end of said elongated member being shaped to provide a pointthereon, plaque means operably mounted to the opposite extremnity ofsaid elongated member, and gripping clip means operably mounted to saidelongated member, in combination with indicator means removably mountedto said gripping clip means, said indicator means comprising, anelongated member of ''''I'''' cross section, said elongated ''''I''''member provided with recesses in the surfaces of the middle portion ofsaid ''''I'''', and provided with a slot at one end of said elongated''''I'''' member, and plaque means removably mounted in said slot, saidplaque means including a sheet portion of thickness slightly greaterthan the width of said slot, providing a force fit of said plaque meansinto said slot.